Discernment Questions

Comments

[Doug McClintic]

Don't forget the prayer and discernment gathering at the (Rivertree) M-6 Campus. Sunday, March 21, at 4:30 p.m.

[Michael Newenhouse]

The Discernment questions above really combine two topics that need to be separated.

The first topic revolves around church plants. I would submit (and hope that all would agree) that there are numerous Biblical passages that stress the importance of spreading the good news of Jesus. Likewise, there also passages that stress the importance of doing it right (for example, there are at least two passages describing the role of Elders in the church, and their role as overseers of the spiritual health of the body.)

While I share the excitement of the possiblity of new ministry ventures, this excitement must be tempered by a commitment to develop gifted and spiritually mature leaders that can carry forth these new ministry ventures. I've seen first-hand the effects of a "growth at any costs" or "quantity versus quality" mentality - instead of drawing people into a personal relationship with their savior, it drove them from the church.

In summary, I'm an advocate of planting new churches, but these churches need to be led by spiritually mature, capable and committed leaders who are surrounded and supported by the same. Please note that I'm in no way implying that there is not a commitment to doing South Harbor the right way, nor am I casting aspersions against the idea, only advocating that if we're going to do it, let's do it right.

The second topic involves site selection. Absent a detailed ministry plan, it's too early in the process to commit to any specific site. Once this ministry plan is determined, appropriate sites can be determined - discussion at this point regarding specific sites would be speculative at best, since we don't know that this specific site would meet the specific needs of South Harbor.

While I can sympathize with the RCA's situation, it would behoove them to find an established body with the financial means to service the $1.8 - $1.9 million note on the Rivertree property.

My $.02, your mileage may vary.

[Dan Van Timmeren]

On first contemplation it would seem that God is "dropping this in our lap" and it must be His plan for our church plant program. He must just want us to accelerate the program. It is also exciting and flattering that the RCA would reach out to FHM with this opportunity. We need to proceed cautiously given the many things that are currently on FHMs plate (Rock Harbor, other near-term plans). We don't want to spread ourselves too thin. Also we need to understand why River Tree failed and whether this is the most ideal site for us to plant a church.

[Kristin Englund]

Tonight I was encouraged and excited by a passage in Judges 6. When an angel appeared to Gideon calling him to rescue Israel out of the hand of Midian, Gideon responded by listing reasons why he wasn't qualified and why he couldn't do it. The Lord responded, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."

It was the Lord's reply to Gideon that really moved me. I feel like my first response to South Harbor has been to list all of the reasons why we can't do it. Like Gideon, I could list reasons why we might not be "qualified" to move forward. Tonight I felt the Lord reminding me of His promise that "I will be with you." If this is something He asking us to do, then He will be with us and we will do it!

[Tom De Vries]

Reading Excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest - Friday, March 19:

Hebrews 11:8: "He [Abraham] went out, not knowing whither he went."

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading. It is a life of Faith, not of intellect and reason, but a life of knowing who makes us 'go'. The root of faith is the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest snares is the idea that God is sure to lead us to success." (Oswald Chambers)

[John Chisum]

My heart always seems to rise a bit when I think of South Harbor Church or even drive by it on M6. Despite this being "the land of a thousand churches" there's ALWAYS room for one more great one! Building the kingdom of God isn't for the faint-hearted or weak. It will require boldness and the faith to "take by force" the land (think Jericho). We cannot and must not enter this venture half-heartedly, but only as we are firmly convinced that GOD has "given us this land" (Joshua 1).

With that being said, the best possible negotiations to begin this plant are necessary. I trust our leaders and believe GOD will lead them and us to the right decision.

[Tom De Vries]

A FAITH-FILLED DECISION . . .

On Tuesday, April 13, the Administrative Consistory of Fair Haven Ministries unanimously approved moving forward with South Harbor Church with the following recommendation:

Fair Haven strongly supports the RiverTree site as the next church plant in the UnderWay process.

A task force was formed to work with the Classis of South Grand Rapids and the RCA Church Growth Fund in developing a viable ministry plan for this site. Task Force members are: Bob Nykamp, Jeff Palmitier, Ron Van Singel, Terry Tromp, Jim Meyer, and Tom De Vries.

Thank you for your prayers of discernment and support in this process, and please continue to be in prayer for this new ministry - for God's continued leading, provision, and guidance as we seek to multiply more followers of Jesus Christ who have a growing and greater passion for God.

Ongoing communication and updates will be posted to this website, as well as the Fair Haven website: www.fhmin.org

May God be glorified as we follow Him in faith!